Female part of an animal identification device, and corresponding accessory and animal identification method

ABSTRACT

A female part of an animal identification device. The female part includes a head having an inner receiving cavity that can receive a tip of a male part of the identification device. The female part includes at least one element for fixing an accessory to an outer face of the head. The at least one fixing element is in the form of at least one groove.

1 CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/261,353, filed Jan. 19, 2021, which is a Section 371 U.S. NationalStage Application of International Application No. PCT/EP2019/069395,filed Jul. 18, 2019, and published as WO 2020/016369 A1 on Jan. 23,2020, not in English, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

2 TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of the invention relates to identifying and marking animals,and more specifically to identification devices or tags.

More precisely, the invention relates to identification devices to whichanother device can be fixed, referred to as an “accessory”, enabling forexample the well-being of the animal or the monitoring of the animal tobe improved. For example, such an accessory can be a reflector,insecticide tag, surveillance monitor, electronic ID, temperaturesensor, etc.

3 TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Identification tags for animals have been known for a long time, and arecompulsory in many countries, in particular to enable the tracking andcertification of origin of animals. This approach can be applied tocattle, sheep, pigs, goats, poultry, and more generally to any speciesof animal for which tagging is necessary or desirable.

By way of example, European regulation number 1760/2000 requires allcattle to be identified by means of a tag on each of their ears. Saidtags need to bear a unique identification number, which enables theidentification of the animal, and for example an indication of the farmwhere it was born.

An identification device generally consists of two parts, a male partand a female part, designed to be assembled in an irreversible manner,for example on the ear of an animal. For this purpose the male partcomprises a point, capable of passing through the ear of the animal, andbeing received in a corresponding receiving cavity arranged in thefemale part, referred to as a head or cap. Of course, this connectionhas to be irreversible, to prevent any attempts of fraud, and inparticular any modification of the identification number on the animal.

Furthermore, the well-being of animals is a consideration which isbecoming more and more important and should not be overlooked. Inparticular, the comfort and health of the animal are data which need tobe monitored and optimised.

To achieve this, it is known to use accessories, such as electronicsurveillance monitors, which are integrated into the identificationdevice fixed to the animal.

A disadvantage of this solution is that the accessory integrated intothe identification device is hard to access and is in many casesirreplaceable. Another disadvantage of this solution is the fact thatonly one, or perhaps two, accessories can be integrated into theidentification device. Indeed, so as not to irritate the animal and notaffect its comfort, the space occupied by the identification deviceneeds to be optimised, which complicates the use of several accessoriesor accessories of average size in the identification device.

4 SUMMARY

According to at least one embodiment, the proposed technology relates toa female part of an identification device for an animal, the female partcomprising a head with an internal receiving cavity capable of receivinga point of a male part of the identification device.

According to the proposed technology, the female part comprises at leastone element for fixing an accessory onto an exterior face of the head,the at least one fixing element being in the form of at least onegroove.

The proposed solution therefore consists of providing a groove on thehead of the female part of an identification device for an animal, so asto enable an additional accessory to be fixed to the identificationdevice.

The proposed solution does not require any significant modification ofthe identification device. Indeed, only one groove is formed on theexterior face of the head of the female part. A standard male part cantherefore be used.

The proposed solution is therefore very simple to implement andmanufacture, which also makes it an inexpensive solution.

According to one particular aspect, the head has a substantiallycylindrical portion and the groove extends over at least a portion of acircular section of the substantially cylindrical portion.

Thus, according to one embodiment, such a groove extending all aroundthe periphery of the head of the female part can enable the accessoryfixed onto the latter to have a degree of freedom. More particularly, arotation of the accessory around the head of the female part can bepermitted in this case, so as to minimise the discomfort of the animaland the risk of injury for example.

According to a particular embodiment, the proposed technology alsorelates to an accessory configured to cooperate with a female part of anidentification device of an animal as described above.

According to the proposed technology, the accessory comprises at leastone opening through which the head of the female part is designed to beinserted and complementary fixing means able to cooperate with the atleast one groove for joining the accessory to the female part.

Said complementary fixing means, provided on the accessory, areconfigured to cooperate with the groove arranged on the exterior face ofthe head of the female part so as to ensure the optimal connection ofthe accessory to the female part but also to permit, according to atleast one particular embodiment, a rotation of the accessory relative tothe female part.

According to one particular aspect, the complementary fixing means arein the form of a ring, extending around the edge of the opening, madefrom a flexible material which is capable of deforming to cooperate withthe groove.

In one embodiment, the complementary fixing means formed on theaccessory are made from a flexible material such that the accessory isjoined to the female part by inserting the accessory by force onto thefemale part. The accessory is thus fixed securely to the female part ofthe identification device. The flexible material of the complementaryfixing means can also enable the uncoupling of the accessory, forexample when the latter needs to be replaced.

Plastic materials can be used such as TPE (thermoplastic elastomers), PU(polyurethanes) or flexible spring steels, such as grab washers, forexample.

According to one particular aspect, the complementary fixing means arein the form of a guillotine, which can fit tightly around the head ofthe female part at the level of the groove.

Such a guillotine, comprising for example a movable plate connected to aretracting spring, enables a user to fix an accessory onto the femalepart of an identification device in a reversible manner. Suchcomplementary fixing means enables the accessory to be uncoupled, forexample when the latter needs to be replaced.

The use of a guillotine on the accessory is a solution that is simple tomanufacture and simple to use. Furthermore, such a guillotine ensuresthe reliable fixing of the accessory onto the female part of theidentification device.

According to one particular aspect, the complementary fixing means arein the form of an aperture communicating with the opening, the aperturehaving a diameter greater than the diameter of the opening so as to forma clip for fixing the accessory onto the female part.

Such an aperture enables the accessory to be connected to the femalepart by inserting the head of the female part through the aperture thenclipping the accessory around the groove, by means of the opening havinga diameter smaller than the diameter of the aperture.

The accessory is thus fixed in a simple and reversible manner to thefemale part of the identification device.

In a particular embodiment, the proposed technique also relates to asystem comprising a female part of an identification device of an animaland at least one accessory as described above. Such an accessory isconfigured to cooperate with the female part of the identificationdevice.

The female part and the accessory have complementary fixingelements/means which ensure a reliable and long-lasting fixing of theaccessory onto the female part. These fixing elements/means are simpleto use and enable the manufacture of a simple and inexpensive system.

According to one particular aspect, the female part and/or the accessorycomprise means for locking the accessory onto the female part.

Thus, in addition to complementary fixing means, the accessory and/orthe female part comprise locking means designed to provide optimalsecuring of the accessory. These locking means are designed to preventthe involuntary removal and/or any attempted fraud or theft of theaccessory.

According to one particular aspect, the accessory is fixed in areversible manner to the female part.

Thus, the replacement of the accessory is possible. The latter is anadvantage when the accessory is inexpensive or is a so-called“consumable” item, such as an insecticide tag for example.

According to one particular aspect, the accessory is fixed in anirreversible manner onto the female part.

This has an advantage when the accessory is not meant to be removed fromthe identification device or when the accessory is expensive, forexample an electronic surveillance monitor. The accessory is thus fixedin a secure manner onto the identification device.

According to another embodiment, the proposed technology relates to amethod for the identification of an animal comprising successively:placing onto the animal an identification device comprising a male partand a female part as described above and fixing onto the female part atleast one accessory as described above.

Such a method for identifying an animal thus comprises placing anidentification device onto an animal then fixing at least one accessoryonto the female part of the identification device.

Thus the accessory can be fixed onto the identification device at anytime, provided that the identification device is applied to the animal.The replacement of the accessory is therefore permitted withoutrequiring any change/replacement of the whole identification device. Theuse of an additional accessory is therefore greatly simplified by theproposed solution.

According to one particular aspect, fixing at least one accessory ontothe female part comprises inserting the accessory by force into thegroove of the female part.

Inserting the accessory onto the female part by force enables the latterto be securely connected to the female part of the identificationdevice.

According to another particular aspect, the method also compriseslocking at least one accessory onto the female part.

Thus the accessory is fixed in a secure manner onto the female part, soas to prevent any involuntary removal or any attempted fraud or theft ofthe latter.

5 LIST OF FIGURES

Other features and advantages of the invention are given in thefollowing description of several preferred embodiments, given by way ofexample and without any limitation, and attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an identification device of an animal in longitudinalcross-section according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view and detailed view of the head of the femalepart of the identification device according to the proposed technicalsolution;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show respectively a perspective view and a view of theface of the identification device of FIG. 1 onto which an accessory isfixed according to the proposed solution;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the identification device of FIG. 3 in whichthe accessory is represented in cross-section along a longitudinal axis;

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b show respectively a detailed view of an accessoryaccording to a first embodiment and a front view of an identificationdevice equipped with such an accessory;

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show respectively a view of a face of an accessoryaccording to a second embodiment and a view of a face of anidentification device equipped with such an accessory;

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b show respectively a detailed view of an accessoryaccording to a third embodiment and a view of face of an identificationdevice equipped with such an accessory;

FIG. 9 shows a method for identifying an animal according to theproposed technical solution.

6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The general principle of the invention is based on the modification ofthe female part of an identification device of an animal, enabling inparticular one or more accessories to be fixed to the female part.

More specifically, the female part is modified so as to provide on itsexterior face, i.e. on its face opposite the male part when the male andfemale parts are assembled, at least one fixing element for anaccessory, having the form of at least one groove.

Owing to the presence of such a groove on the exterior face of thefemale part, it is possible in particular to fix an accessory onto thefemale part after placing the identification device onto the animal.

In the following, a particular embodiment is described according towhich the female part belongs to a “2-piece” identification device,according to which the male and female parts are detached prior toplacing the identification device onto the animal. For example, theidentification device is in the form of a loop designed in particularfor sheep.

It should be noted that other female parts can be considered accordingto the invention, for example a female part belonging to a “1-piece”identification device, according to which the male and female parts areconnected by a flexible band before placing the identification deviceonto the animal.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 , in particular the identification device1 for an animal comprises a male part 11 and a female part 12 designedto be joined to one another.

Generally, the male part 11 comprises a point 111, mounted on a shaft112, extending from a male support 113.

The length of the shaft 112 is selected so as to permit good aeration ofthe scar formed on the animal during the application of the loop, at thesame time limiting the possibility of it getting caught in farmingequipment (string, chains, fences, boxes, etc.) or other animals.

The female part 12 comprises a head 121, defining a cavity for receivingthe point 111 of the male part 11. Such a head 121 is made for examplefrom a rigid material, for example nylon, so as to ensure theinviolability of the identification device 1.

A female support 122 possibly extends to the base of the head 121, fromthe other side of the ear relative to the male support 113 when theidentification device is fixed onto the animal. Such a support 122 canbe formed in a material which is more flexible than the head 121, forexample an elastomer, and is used for example as a surface for markingan ID of the animal.

According to one particular embodiment, the female support 122 isovermoulded onto a collar at the base of the head 121, so as to connectthe head 121 and the female support 122 and form the female part 12.

Such a female part is described in particular in European patentEP1037525B1 in the name of the same applicant.

The point 111 is designed in particular to pass through the skin of theanimal, for example its ear, and to penetrate into the head cavity 121.An adapted clamp enables the necessary force to be applied to ensure thepenetration. Once this has been performed, it is no longer possible touncouple the male part 11 from the female part 12.

According to the proposed technical solution, the head 121 of the femalepart 12 has at least one element 123 for fixing an accessory 2 onto itsexterior face, i.e. onto its face opposite the male part 11 when themale 11 and female parts 12 are assembled.

More precisely, a fixing element 123 is in the form of a groove, orchannel.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 , the head 121 has asubstantially cylindrical form with a circular portion and the groove123 extends around the whole of the periphery of the head 121. Accordingto other examples, one or more grooves, forming portions of a circle orconcentric circles, can be provided. The groove or grooves can thus becurved.

In one variant, the head 121 has a section that is different from acircle, for example rectangular, triangular or any other. The groove orgrooves can thus be rectilinear.

In another variant, the head 121 has a different form than a cylinder,which has a constant or variable section.

It is possible that grooves of different depths can be provided.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 , the head 121 has threesuccessive portions:

-   -   a first substantially cylindrical portion 121 a, possibly        overmoulded by the flexible material forming the female support        122, extending substantially in the same axis as the        interlocking axis of the male/female parts, and having a first        diameter D1 at the level of the junction with the female support        122;    -   a second substantially cylindrical portion 121 b, located in the        extension of the first portion 121 a and forming the groove 123,        having a second diameter D2, smaller than the first diameter D1;        and    -   a third substantially cylindrical portion 121 c, extending the        second portion 121 b, and having a third diameter D3 at the        level of the junction with the second portion 121 b, greater        than the second diameter D2.

In one particular embodiment, the third diameter D3 is the same as thefirst diameter D1.

It is possible that at least one of the portions is in the form of atruncated cone.

In one variant, an intermediate portion 121 d in the form of a truncatedcone is provided between the first 121 a and second 121 b portions ofthe head 121 so as to facilitate the positioning of the accessory 2.Likewise, a final portion 121 e can be provided at the end of the thirdportion 121 c, so as to facilitate the application of the accessory 2.

For example, when the female part is as described in European patentEP1037525B1, at least one groove is provided on the exterior of theboss.

An accessory 2 is configured to cooperate with the female part 12 of theidentification device 1.

The accessory 2 is for example an accessory which helps to improve thewell-being or the surveillance of the animal to which the identificationdevice 1 is fixed. For example, the accessory 2 is a reflector,insecticide tag, additional identifier (visual and/or electronic)—forexample specific to the farmer, flash light, temperature sensor,electronic surveillance or monitoring device—enabling in particular thestate of health of an animal to be monitored by measuring an activity ora parameter of the animal, etc.

According to the type of accessory, a housing can be provided on theaccessory for the purpose of receiving electronic elements for example.

According to at least one embodiment, the female part and its accessoryare required to cause the least possible discomfort, and thus to belightweight and not take up much space. As far as possible the animalshould not be able to get injured if the identification device and orthe accessory get caught, for example on branches or a fence.

FIGS. 6 a to 8 b illustrate different examples of means for fixing anaccessory to a female part as described above.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 a to 8 b , this accessory 2 has complementaryfixing means designed to cooperate with the groove or groove(s) 123 ofthe head 121 so as to connect the accessory 2 to the female part 12 ofthe identification device 1. Such means enable the accessory 2 to befixed to the female part 12 in a reversible or irreversible manner.

In particular, if the accessory is a so-called “consumable” accessorysuch as an insecticide tag, it is desirable to be able to change theaccessory regularly when the insecticide is no longer effective, or incase the insecticide tag gets lost. The connection between the accessoryand the female part therefore has to be reversible.

If the accessory is a type of surveillance monitor it may be desirableto fix it in an irreversible manner to the female part, as such anaccessory is expensive.

Said complementary fixing means comprise at least one opening 21designed to receive the third portion 121 c of the head 121 and to thencooperate with the second portion 121 b of the head 121.

In a first embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b , thecomplementary fixing means are in the form of a ring 22 extending aroundthe edge/periphery of the opening 21. Said ring 22 is made/manufacturedfrom a relatively flexible material with a rigidity which is adapted onthe one hand to enable the deformation of the opening 21 enabling theinsertion of the third portion 121 c (and possibly the final portion 121e) of the head 121 through the opening, and on the other hand to ensurethe optimal connection of the accessory 2 to the female part 12.

The opening 21 can also have, according to the embodiment, a diameterwhich is adapted to enable the accessory to pivot/turn around the head121 of the female part 12. Thus a degree of freedom (rotation) isprovided between the accessory 2 and the head 121 of the female part 12to prevent the animal from getting injured if the loop or the accessoryget caught on branches or a fence for example.

In one variant, the whole accessory is made/manufactured from arelatively flexible material.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b , thecomplementary fixing means are in the form of a guillotine 23. Theguillotine 23 comprises a wall 231 which is movable in translationbetween a locked position (illustrated in FIG. 7 a ) and an unlockedposition (not illustrated). The movable wall 231 is mounted on anelastic restoring element 232 which in this example is in the form of aspring.

The movable wall 231 also has a notch 233 which is configured to fittightly around the groove 123 of the female part 12 with the edge of theopening 21 in the locked position of the movable wall 231 and when theaccessory cooperates with the female part 12.

To fix the accessory 2 onto the head 121 of the female part 12, it isnecessary for the user to manually displace the movable wall 231 towardsthe unlocked position (downwards according to the orientation of FIG. 7a ) in order to free the opening 21, then insert the head 121 of thefemale part 12 into the opening 21. Once the opening 21 cooperates withthe groove 123, it is necessary for the user to release the movable wall231. The restoring spring 232 thus displaces the movable wall 231 intoits locked position.

The guillotine 23 thus enables a simple and reversible connectionbetween the accessory 2 and the female part 12.

In a further embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b , thecomplementary fixing means are in the form of an aperture 24. Theaperture 24 has a substantially circular form and communicates with theopening 21. The diameter D5 of the aperture 24 is greater than thediameter D4 of the opening 21.

The intersection between the opening 21 and the aperture 24 forms twolugs 241 located face-to-face which enables the accessory 2 to clip intothe groove 123 when the groove 123 cooperates with the opening 21.

More precisely, the aperture 24 is configured to enable the passage ofthe third portion 121 c of the head 121 through the aperture 24. Then, adownwards displacement (according to the orientation of FIG. 8 a )enables the groove 123 to pass into the aperture 21 so as to clip on theaccessory 2.

Thus the accessory is fixed in a simple and reversible manner onto thefemale part 12. Therefore, it can be easily removed in order to bereplaced.

In one embodiment, optional/additional locking means are provided so asto prevent the accessory 2 from being removed involuntarily orfraudulently from the female part 12.

This may consist for example of a cover 124 which covers the head 121 ofthe female part 12 at least partly, so as to prevent the accessory 2from exiting the groove 123. This cover can be slotted by force onto thefemale part 12. The cover can then only be removed by beingbroken/smashed. In this case the latter consists of irreversible lockingmeans.

In one variant, the locking means are in the form of a hardenable pasteapplied onto the accessory 2 and the identification device 1. Forexample, the paste can comprise two components (in other words the pasteis a bicomponent paste) which harden rapidly and enable reliable andsolid bond.

In another variant, the locking means are in the form of a locking platewhich is configured to be fixed to the identification device 1 and tothe accessory 2 by a screw fixing system.

Of course, any other type of locking means can be used which arereversible or irreversible and require or do not require a tool forenabling the locking/unlocking.

The technical solution proposed also relates to a method for identifyingan animal. FIG. 9 illustrates this process schematically.

In a first step (91), an identification device 1 comprising a male part11 and a female part 12, as described above, is applied to an animal.Conventionally, a clamp is used to join the male part 11 and the femalepart 12 of the identification device 1 in an irreversible manner.

In a second step (92), then at least one accessory 2 is fixed, asdescribed above, onto the female part 12.

In one particular embodiment described above, the fixing of theaccessory 2 onto the female part 12 is achieved by inserting theaccessory 2 by force.

Furthermore, and in an optional manner, locking means are then used 93on the female part 12 and/or the accessory 2 to prevent the removal ofthe latter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a female part of anidentification device for an animal, said female part comprising a headhaving an internal receiving cavity capable of receiving a tip of a malepart of the identification device, said female part also comprising atleast one element for fixing an accessory onto an exterior face of saidhead, said at least one fixing element being in the form of at least onegroove; and at least one accessory comprising a first accessoryconfigured to cooperate with said female part, the first accessorycomprising a portion having at least one opening through which the headof the female part is designed to be inserted and a complementary fixingelement capable of cooperating with said at least one groove for joiningsaid first accessory to said female part; wherein said complementaryfixing element is in the form of a ring extending around a periphery ofsaid at least one opening, said ring being made from a flexible materialwhich is capable of deforming to cooperate with said at least onegroove.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said head has asubstantially cylindrical portion and said at least one groove extendsover at least a portion of a circular section of said substantiallycylindrical portion.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein saidfirst accessory is fixed in a reversible manner onto said female part.4. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said femalepart or said first accessory comprises a lock for locking said firstaccessory onto said female part.
 5. The system according to claim 4,wherein said first accessory is fixed in an irreversible manner ontosaid female part such that the first accessory can be removed only bybreaking the lock.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ringis made of plastic.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the ringis made of thermoplastic elastomer or of polyurethan.
 8. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the whole first accessory is made from theflexible material.
 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ringis made of flexible spring steel.
 10. The system according to claim 1,wherein said at least one opening of the first accessory has a diameterwhich is adapted to enable the first accessory to pivot around the headof the female part.
 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein thefemale part comprises at least two grooves, including a first groove tocooperate with the complementary fixing element of the first accessoryand at least a second groove to cooperate with a complementary fixingelement of at least one second accessory, for joining said first andsecond accessories to said female part.
 12. The system according toclaim 11, wherein the first groove and the at least one second groovehave different depths.
 13. A method for identifying an animal comprisingsuccessively: placing onto said animal an identification devicecomprising: a male part; and a female part comprising a head having aninternal receiving cavity capable of receiving a tip of the male part,said female part also comprising at least one element for fixing atleast one accessory onto an exterior face of said head, said at leastone fixing element being in the form of at least one groove; and fixingonto said female part a first accessory configured to cooperate withsaid female part, said first accessory comprising a portion having atleast one opening through which the head of the female part is designedto be inserted and a complementary fixing element capable of cooperatingwith said at least one groove for joining said first accessory to saidfemale part, wherein said complementary fixing element is in the form ofa ring extending around a periphery of said at least one opening, saidring being made from a flexible material which is capable of deformingto cooperate with said at least one groove, and wherein fixing the firstaccessory onto the female part comprises inserting the first accessoryby force into said at least groove of the female part.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 13, wherein at least said female part or saidaccessory comprises a lock for locking said accessory onto said femalepart, and the method comprises locking said at least one accessory ontosaid female part with the lock.